Author: Mr. X

from parts unknown, weight, unknown

Surrey Teens Read: Everything, Everything

The students of School District 36 have spoken.  Over the past year students from around Surrey have been reading the Surrey Teens Read  10 nominated titles.  After the votes were counted, the winner emerged: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon.

Thanks to all the Teacher Librarians who run this excellent program and thanks to all the students who take the time to read the books and vote.

Find out more about Surrey Teens Read.

Students Need to See Adults Reading

ssrcam“As a teacher I am more influential as a model than my students will ever let on.”

Read during SSR.  Expect students to have a book, be silent, be respectful of others, and read. Model that. Show them that reading isn’t something we just talk about. Reading is something we really do.

“…teachers who grade papers or balance their checkbooks during SSR are also sending their students a powerful message–a message that time set aside to read isn’t important. It’s true that we often have to model a positive behavior ten, twenty, thirty times before we see it begin to take hold in adolescents.  But it’s also true that if we model a bad behavior once, they learn it immediately. I remind myself of this prior to every SSR period– that as a teacher I am more influential as a model than my students will ever let on. If I talk the talk, I need to walk the walk.”

–Kelly Gallagher, Reading Reasons, 2003.

Students Need to See Adults Reading

ssrvolpe“One way to undermine an SSR program is for the teacher to grade papers, work on the computer, and answer phone calls.”

–Valerie Lee, “Becoming the Reading Mentors Our Adolescents Deserve”

Use SSR time to show the students what engaged readers do. Read alongside the students.   Expect them to be silent and immerse themselves in their reading. Model reading for the students.  Mentor them as readers.

Students Need to See Adults Reading

“Building a culture of reading in a school requires the participation of the entire school community– students, teachers, administration, staff, parents, patrons…  Students need to see adults, in various roles, reading: a favorite teacher, a coach, or administrators.”

Makatche and Oberlin, “Building a Culture of Reading.”

We can tell kids that reading is important. But if they don’t see that the adults in their lives value reading, why should they believe us?  Teachers, coaches, parents: Show the kids in your life that you value reading. Read in front of them. masi-ssr